KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs is urging Interfaith Harmony Forums (FKUB) across the country to join a nationwide campaign to plant one million matoa trees. The initiative aims to promote eco-theology and environmental preservation while strengthening interfaith cooperation.

The eco-theology movement is one of the Ministry’s key programs under Minister Nasaruddin Umar. It encourages harmony not only among religious communities but also between people and nature, reflecting spiritual responsibility for environmental stewardship.

“The planting of one million matoa trees is not only an act of environmental concern but also a symbol of interfaith collaboration in caring for God’s creation,” said M. Adib Abdushomad, Head of the Religious Harmony Center (PKUB) at the Ministry’s Secretariat General, during a virtual coordination meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025, with hundreds of FKUB representatives from across Indonesia.

Dr. Adib, a graduate of Flinders University, Australia, said the movement will officially begin on April 22, 2025, to coincide with Earth Day, with the main event taking place at the UIII campus in Depok. Simultaneous plantings will be held in many regions, involving religious leaders, FKUB members, and the public from various faiths.

“The One Million Matoa Tree Planting campaign will be carried out gradually from the end of April to December 2025. Each FKUB region is expected to plant between 5,000 and 10,000 matoa trees in their respective areas,” he explained.

Explaining the choice of tree, Adib—who also leads the Al-Qur’an and Research Islamic Boarding School in South Tangerang—said the matoa has both ecological and economic value.

“With matoa, those who plant will one day enjoy its fruits. It’s also a shady tree, which helps create cooler and more pleasant environments,” he added.

The Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and environmental organizations such as the Indonesian Tree Planting Movement to provide seedlings and technical support.

The program has received positive responses from local FKUB leaders, including Zaimatul Hasanah from the Ministry’s Central Java Regional Office. She emphasized the movement’s role in strengthening interfaith bonds and environmental awareness.

“We plant trees, but what grows is not just roots and trunks. Love, brotherhood, and a shared sense of responsibility also take root,” said Zaima, her commonly used name.

She added that with collective spirit and tolerance, the campaign can be a practical example of how interreligious unity contributes to sustainable development and environmental care.

“This is where eco-theology finds its practice. As people of faith, we must not only focus on worship but also care for the planet we live on,” she concluded.